Art Of Latin Jazz, The

LATIN JAZZ

Grammy winner, pianist, composer Oscar Hernandez usually leads the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. (ZK shows 4 well reviewed albums and >100 prior plays.) Here Hernandez fronts a smaller (5-6 player) group. We get the usual Latin Jazz formula: perky, bouncy melodies mixing sax & trumpet leads (or a flute sometimes); piano & perc accompaniment.

Mostly instrumental (but #3 has vocal). No FCC issues.

1 * Mid-fast. Bright, bouncy, danceable. Alto sax, trumpet, piano trade the lead. (4:20)
2 ** Fast. Joyous. Starts with bright, cheery flute. Piano & trumpet also take solos. (6:01)
3 Mid-tempo. Pretty melody on flute; piano & perc ‘comp. Male vocal in Spanish. (5:21)
4 Mid-tempo. Perc start. Laid-back, mellow trumpet & sax. Elec bass solos. (5:53)
5 * Mid-fast. Warm tenor sax, bright trumpet. Long perc break. Energetic. (5:13)
6 Fast. Jerky, hop-scotch melody on trumpet & sax, with trills, runs. Piano break. (5:05)
7 Slow solo piano intro, then mid-fast as band joins. Short rhythmic motif repeated. (5:45)
8 * Mid-fast. Exuberant tenor sax leads most of the way. Piano, bass, perc ‘comp. (4:13)
9 Mid-slow. Sad love song on sax. Piano, bass, drums ‘comp. (5:16)
10 Mid-tempo. Warm tenor sax tone. Easy going at first, but gains energy. (5:58)